Thames Water teams on standby as flooding risk increases

Hotspots across the Thames Valley are at risk of flooding due to rising levels of groundwater, according to Thames Water.

The water company, which has mobilised around the clock teams to deal with the likely flooding, said that recent heavy rainfall and river flooding means groundwater levels are now exceptionally high. In some areas levels across the region have risen ten metres in just three weeks and continue to rise.

Groundwater levels are higher than the sewer pipes in vulnerable areas, and the water is starting to force its way into the sewer network.

The sewer system is designed to take only wastewater from homes and businesses, and the influx of groundwater, combined with spring and river water entering the pipes, is putting the network under enormous strain and placing customers at risk of sewer flooding, according to Thames.

Areas including Aldbourne, Wiltshire, and Lambourn, West Berkshire, are most at risk.

Thames Water teams are on standby to use tanker lorries, in some cases around the clock, to suck out excess flows in order to prevent nearby homes and businesses flooding.

Anthony Crawford, head of waste networks at Thames Water, said: “River flooding may have eased but groundwater is now the one to watch. It may be hidden from view but it should by no means be underestimated. Groundwater levels are rising, and as the extra water seeps into our sewer network it could lead to sewer flooding.

“We’re doing all we can to reduce this risk. As well as closely monitoring hotspot areas, we’re keeping a fleet of tankers on standby, ready to pump out the excess groundwater from our pipes.”